Adjustable clip support for toothbrushes



April 22, 1952 N. A. OSCHER 2,593,913

ADJUSTABLE CLIP SUPPORT FOR TOOTHBRUSHES Filed June 4, 194a mv ENTOR J&i7?lan J7. Os char BY M Patented Apr. 22, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ADJUSTABLE CLIP SUPPORT FOR TOOTHBRUSHES Nathan A. Oscher, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application June 4, 1948, Serial No. 31,104

1 Claim. (01. 24-261) I My invention relates to toothbrushes and more particularly to a device adapted to be attached to the handle of a toothbrush for the purpose of supporting the brush in the conventional toothbrush holder.

My principal objective was to construct a device that could be aifixed to a toothbrush handle so that the brush would be supported in a manner that would prevent the bristles from contacting other brushes, thereby preventing the spread of any contagious diseases.

A further objective was to support the brush in such a manner that the bristles would be able to drain and dry and would not remain soggy through direct contact with the upper surface of the toothbrush holder.

An advantage of my invention is that it is adapted to fit any type and shape of toothbrush handle and is so constructed that it may be placed in any desired position on the handle.

Another advantage is that my device serves as a gripping means for the user when the teeth are being brushed.

My device is also simple in construction and economical to manufacture.

Further advantages and unique features of my invention will'be apparent as I proceed with the description.

With reference to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation showing toothbrushes equipped with my device disposed in a conventional holder;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged side view of my device secured to a toothbrush handle;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged front view of my device secured to a toothbrush handle;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view on line 4--4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of my clip support;

Fig. 6 shows a modified form of my clip support;

Fig. '7 shows my clip support equipped with an identification plate.

With reference to the drawings, my clip support It consists of a single piece of resilient wire shaped to a desired configuration. As shown in Fig. 5, the preferred form of my support provided two spaced and inverted U-shaped members II and I2 with downwardly depending arm portions [3. The center portions l4 of the bight as shown in Fig. 4 are substantially parallel to each other and are so designed that the space between them is narrower than the toothbrush handle l5 so that when the device [0 is applied to the handle, the bight portions M will engage in the notches l8 securely clamping the device 2 to the handle. The ends of the bight portions I4 are flared out forming curved projections which engage on the upper surface It of the conventional toothbrush holder 19, thereby supporting the brush in any desired position.

As shown in Fig. 3, the depending arm portions [3 of the Ushaped members II and I2 taper inwardly and towards each other, and the arm portions l3 of the U-shaped members II and I2 are joined to each other at their lower ends by curved sections '20. The sections 20 are curved to adapt themselves to the shape of the handle l5 and these sections also engage in notches 2| positioned on the sides of the handle.

As indicated by the drawings, the device in its preferred form is made from a single piece of resilient wire. In use, the device [0 is placed on the handle I 5 of a toothbrush as shown in Fig. 1 so that the bight portions M of the U-shaped members and the curved sections '20 engage in the notches l6 and 2| respectively on the front and rear, and sides of the handle.

The modification 40 shown in Fig. 6 is also made from a single piece shaped to provide an inverted U-shaped member 30 and downwardly and upwardly extending arm portions 3| and 32 respectively. The free ends of the device are then bent downwardly and then upwardly forming two pairs of loops 33 and 34 while the ends extend vertically upward forming right members 35 that rise above the bight of the U-shaped member 30. The extreme ends 36 of the upright members 35 are bent inwardly so when the bight of the U-shaped member 30 is engaged in the notch IS on the handle 15, the ends 36 will exert pressure against the opposite side of the handle to clamp the device 40 in position.

When the toothbrush is placed in the opening 22 provided in the conventional holder IS, the projections I! will engage the upper surface [8 of the holder, thereby supporting the brush in an upright position. As the toothbrush handle I 5 will be provided with a plurality of notches l8 and 2| on the front, rear and side portions, the device may be adjustably secured to any position on the handle. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 1, the device may be conformed to accommodate brushes with curved handles.

As an additional feature of my device, in Fig. 7 I have shown how it may be equipped with an identification name plate which may be readily attached to the device and which in no way would interfere with the operation or function of the device.

While the invention has been described in detall with respect to a present preferred form which it may assume, it is not to be limited to such details and form since many changes and modifications may be made in the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest aspects. Hence, it is desired to cover any and all forms and modifications of the invention which may come within the language or scope of the appended claim.

I claim:

A supporting clip adapted to hold a toothbrush which comprises two parallel, horizontally disposed members spaced apart a distance less than the thickness of the article to be supported, said members being formed at the ends thereof so as to provide projections extending horizontally outwardly from said clip, an arm connected to each of said projections extending downwardly from and inwardly of said members, the arms connected to adjacent projections of the two members being parallel to each other and forming a pair, the arms forming each pair extending toward the arms forming the other pair, curved portions formed at the lower ends of said arms, a longitudinally extending section connecting the lower ends of each or" the pairs of arms'of'said clip, the section connecting one pair lying parallel to the section connecting the other pair, both sections being disposed transversely to said members and being spaced apart from each other a distance less than the thickness of the article to be supported, said clip being formed of a single piece of resilient material bent into the specified shape, said clip being adapted to be adjustably connected to a tooth-brush, said arms being so formed that said members are urged toward each other and each section is urged toward the other when said clip is in engagement with a tooth-brush.

NATHAN A. OSCI-IER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED'STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 277,298 Lincoln May 8, 1883 408,070 Bell 1 July 30, 1889 713,134 Mullins 1 Nov. 11, 1902 2,140,231 Jefieris Dec. 13, 1938 2,307,752 Anderson -1- Jan. 12, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS 7 Number Country I Date 7,

377,865 France Sept. 18, 1907 j 

